I’m not Julius Malema’s biggest fan, personally I find him rather far removed from the youth that he claims to speak on behalf of. However I think it is in poor tast for IOL to have published Malema’s matric marks – regardless of how stupid people think he is (because of his raging fascist remarks and anti-human style of democracy) to violate someone’s privacy to appease the popular press is fundamentally wrong.
For those of you who agree with me on this issue but still like to poke holes in Malema’s rhetoric, take a look at Hayibo’s version of the story.
25. October 2008 at 9:04 pm
I disagree with you Lauren. I think if you opt for public office you open yourself to public scrutiny. The real issue is whether there’s a public interest issue at stake, as I believe there was, for example, in the case of Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s medical records, which suggest she was not eligible for a liver transplant. The fact that she received one suggests an abuse of her office as Minister of Health. The fact that she was an off-the-wagon alcoholic (as opposed to a recovering one) also reflected poorly on her office and the government. As for Julius Malema, I think his level and quality of education is a valid subject of public interest. Nobody complains when we’re reminded that Thabo Mbeki has a MA from Sussex or Kader Asmal a PhD from LSE. It only becomes contested when the information reported reflects badly on the individual concerned. The cry of privacy is merely intended to direct attention away from the fact that Malema has a very poor education. In that sense he’s no different to thousands of South Africans and he shouldn’t be excluded simply because of this. But I think we should expect more of our youth leaders.
The fact is that Malema is consistently saying ill-conceived and incendiary things about our democracy, its institutions and office-bearers. The fact that he is very poorly educated is not unrelated.
25. October 2008 at 9:04 pm
I disagree with you Lauren. I think if you opt for public office you open yourself to public scrutiny. The real issue is whether there’s a public interest issue at stake, as I believe there was, for example, in the case of Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s medical records, which suggest she was not eligible for a liver transplant. The fact that she received one suggests an abuse of her office as Minister of Health. The fact that she was an off-the-wagon alcoholic (as opposed to a recovering one) also reflected poorly on her office and the government. As for Julius Malema, I think his level and quality of education is a valid subject of public interest. Nobody complains when we’re reminded that Thabo Mbeki has a MA from Sussex or Kader Asmal a PhD from LSE. It only becomes contested when the information reported reflects badly on the individual concerned. The cry of privacy is merely intended to direct attention away from the fact that Malema has a very poor education. In that sense he’s no different to thousands of South Africans and he shouldn’t be excluded simply because of this. But I think we should expect more of our youth leaders.
The fact is that Malema is consistently saying ill-conceived and incendiary things about our democracy, its institutions and office-bearers. The fact that he is very poorly educated is not unrelated.
27. October 2008 at 7:04 am
I get what you’re saying Thomas, but Malema isn’t in public office in the same way that Manto or Kader Asmal were. He’s the president of the ANCYL. However what has become problematic is that the ANC has allowed it to seem that Malema exerts as much influence as people who are legitimately in Parliament.
27. October 2008 at 7:04 am
I get what you’re saying Thomas, but Malema isn’t in public office in the same way that Manto or Kader Asmal were. He’s the president of the ANCYL. However what has become problematic is that the ANC has allowed it to seem that Malema exerts as much influence as people who are legitimately in Parliament.
26. November 2008 at 8:17 am
Lauren, If you read between the lines – ANC leaders are allowing Malema to exert influence in order that he may carry out their dirty work in order to ensure the current Government stays in power.
Clearly, as is very much evident in the hate speeches flying around referring to political opponants as cockroaches, dogs & Snakes – singing about getting machine guns, etc, the power-hungry and greedy FatCat ANC elite intend on staying in power at any expense. Oh So Typical of Third World Barbarian African Leaders…. Look out for intimidations, torchures & killings – coming to a city near you.
(And I would say YES, it is Very Much of public interest that voters know the qualifications of the people in power.)
26. November 2008 at 8:17 am
Lauren, If you read between the lines – ANC leaders are allowing Malema to exert influence in order that he may carry out their dirty work in order to ensure the current Government stays in power.
Clearly, as is very much evident in the hate speeches flying around referring to political opponants as cockroaches, dogs & Snakes – singing about getting machine guns, etc, the power-hungry and greedy FatCat ANC elite intend on staying in power at any expense. Oh So Typical of Third World Barbarian African Leaders…. Look out for intimidations, torchures & killings – coming to a city near you.
(And I would say YES, it is Very Much of public interest that voters know the qualifications of the people in power.)
26. November 2008 at 12:34 pm
Yeah, I hear you (stereotypes aside) but I still think it was a cheap shot to splash his matric grades in the press.
26. November 2008 at 12:34 pm
Yeah, I hear you (stereotypes aside) but I still think it was a cheap shot to splash his matric grades in the press.
28. November 2008 at 8:09 am
No, it is excellent that the media digs into his qualifications – it only steps up the standard for our future polititians & leaders by passing the message along that citizens expect Educated, Informed, Unbiased, Stable leaders. The papers made a big splash about not only Obama’s education, but his whole background, upbringing etc. Its what the American people demand – to know who the person is who has all this power and holds their future in his hands. Why Dont South Africans have the right to know who these people in powerful positions are???? That is why Africans get themselves into trouble because we sit back and allow it.
28. November 2008 at 8:09 am
No, it is excellent that the media digs into his qualifications – it only steps up the standard for our future polititians & leaders by passing the message along that citizens expect Educated, Informed, Unbiased, Stable leaders. The papers made a big splash about not only Obama’s education, but his whole background, upbringing etc. Its what the American people demand – to know who the person is who has all this power and holds their future in his hands. Why Dont South Africans have the right to know who these people in powerful positions are???? That is why Africans get themselves into trouble because we sit back and allow it.